During the November community consultation workshops many people asked how the decision on the future of the Columbia River Treaty will be made and who will make it. The answer is, it is a two step process.

The provincial Columbia River Treaty team is mandated to make recommendations to the provincial Cabinet on the strategic decision of whether the Treaty should be terminated, continued or enhanced or modified in some way. The provincial Cabinet does not have a set timeline to make a decision.

If the Province wishes to terminate the Treaty, it will advise the federal government as only Canada can terminate an international agreement. If the Province wishes the Treaty to continue then the next step will depend on whether and how any changes to the Treaty may be implemented. If desired changes can be accommodated within the Treaty framework and don’t require a formal amendment, then the Province can proceed to more detailed work on how these changes may be operationalized. If, however, desired changes cannot be accommodated within the existing framework, then the Province will work with the federal government to determine the most appropriate mechanism to effect the change.

Any changes to the current range of operations will, of course, also require the agreement of the United States. Further consultation could occur depending on the implications of any proposed changes.